Name                                     

Date                                       

Circuits Lab

Part A:  Series and Parallel Circuits

Check your bucket to make sure you have:

·        a strand with 6 lights

·        a strand with 3 lights

·        4 single light strands (1 light only)

·        a 6 volt battery

 

1.  In this part, you will build a series circuit.

a.  To the right, draw a series circuit with 3 loads.Þ

b.  Attach a strand with one light to the battery.  Repeat using the 3 light strand and the 6 light strand.  How do the different strands of light behave?                                                                                      

 

2.  In this part, you will build a parallel circuit.

a.  To the right, draw a parallel circuit with 3 loads. Þ

 

b.  Take 3 of the single light strands and twist the ends together.  Ask for help if you don’t understand.  Observe the brightness of each light when all are connected to the battery together.  Next, repeat by twisting a 6 light strand and only one of the strands with a single light.  What did you observe?                                                                                                                   

 

Enrichment Questions (answer individually and then compare your answers with a group member)

When have you observed a series or parallel circuit before today?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Would a battery last longer with 2 lights in parallel or 2 lights in series?   Why?                                                                                              

                                                                                                                 

Why don’t you get shocked when you touch the battery?                                                                                                                                          

What are some things that might give a circuit more resistance?                                                                                                                                  

Part B:  Measuring Resistance and Open/Closed Circuits

Check your bucket to make sure you have:

·        a strand with 6 lights

·        a strand with 3 lights

·        a Voltage meter

·        regular bulbs

·        D size batteries

·        4 single light strands (1 light only)

·        a (digital) multimeter

·        switch

·        alligator clips

·        a 6 volt battery

 

1.    In this part, we are going to measure the voltage of batteries and the resistance of the strings of lights.

 

a.  Use the voltage meter to measure the voltage of a D size battery.  Then place two or more batteries end to end and measure the voltage.  Write down what you find.

 

__1 battery __Volts     

__2 batteries __   Volts

__batteries __Volts

 

b.  Measure the resistance of a single light strand using the multimeter.  Measure the resistance of the strands with 3 and 6 lights. Touch two different strings of lights to the meter at the same time and write down the resistance.          

   

1 light          Ohms

6 lights         Ohms

3 lights        Ohms

2 different strings                   Ohms

 

What do you notice about the amount of resistance and the number of lights?                                                                                                                                                                                          

 

2.    In this part we are going to build a circuit with a switch.

 

a.     Use the alligator clips to connect the regular light bulb and switch to the 6-volt battery.

b.     Draw a picture of your circuit below and label it.

 

 

 

 What type of circuit do you think this is?  Why?